Google to Provide Free Wi-Fi at Starbucks

Google unseated AT&T as the supplier of free Wi-Fi service at more than 7,000 Starbucks coffeeshops in the U.S., moving the search giant deeper into the business of connecting people to the Internet.

Google is partnering with Level 3 Communications, an Internet middleman, to offer the service. Starbucks says it will be about 10 times faster than the existing T1 connections provided by AT&T.

AT&T said it had offered to upgrade its own service to the same speed. Instead, the carrier will supply Starbucks stores with other business services while customers reach the Web through Google and Level 3, which doesn’t typically sell service on the last mile.

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